Methods of altering eddy current interactions

Abstract

Described herein are braking mechanisms and related methods of using eddy current interactions to resist relative movement between members, the magnetic flux about an eddy current region being modified beyond an inherent drag effect resulting from a simple magnetic pole arrangement.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A braking mechanism comprising:
 a Halbach array including one north polarity facing magnet element and one south polarity facing magnet element aligned so as to cause a magnetic field between the north polarity facing magnet element and the south polarity facing magnet element and about a predetermined region, the predetermined region located between the north polarity facing magnet element and the south polarity facing magnet element; 
 at least one additional magnet in the form of magnetic cladding about the north and south polarity facing magnet elements arranged in a semi-circular shape about the Halbach array, the magnetic cladding acting to modify a magnetic flux density about the predetermined region between the north polarity facing magnet element and the south polarity facing magnet element within the Halbach array; and 
 at least one conductive member or a part thereof; 
 wherein, when the at least one conductive member or part thereof does not interact with the predetermined region, independent movement occurs between the conductive member and the predetermined region, and, when the at least one conductive member or part thereof interacts with the predetermined region, eddy current drag forces are generated resisting relative movement and urging dependent movement between the at least one conductive member or part thereof and the predetermined region and wherein the predetermined region has a gap through which the conductive member passes. 
 
     
     
       2. The braking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one conductive member passes through the center of the Halbach array to cause interaction. 
     
     
       3. The braking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the predetermined region is located about an area of maximum magnetic flux density. 
     
     
       4. The braking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one conductive member or a part thereof has a shape selected from: circular, spherical, ovoid, or toroid. 
     
     
       5. The braking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one conductive member or a part thereof is solid. 
     
     
       6. The braking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one conductive member or a part thereof is segmented. 
     
     
       7. The braking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the braking mechanism is incorporated within an autobelay system. 
     
     
       8. The braking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the braking mechanism is incorporated within a self-retracting lifeline (SRL) system. 
     
     
       9. A method of controlling relative movement between members of a braking mechanism, the braking mechanism comprising:
 a Halbach array including one north polarity facing magnet element and one south polarity facing magnet element aligned so as to cause a magnetic field between the north polarity facing magnet element and the south polarity facing magnet element and about a predetermined region, the predetermined region located between the north polarity facing magnet element and the south polarity facing magnet element; 
 at least one additional magnet in the form of magnetic cladding about the north and south polarity facing magnet elements arranged in a semi-circular shape about the Halbach array, the magnetic cladding acting to modify a magnetic flux density about the predetermined region between the north polarity facing magnet element and the south polarity facing magnet element within the Halbach array; and 
 at least one conductive member or a part thereof; 
 wherein, when the at least one conductive member or part thereof does not interact with the predetermined region, independent movement occurs between the conductive member and the predetermined region, and, when the at least one conductive member or part thereof interacts with the predetermined region, eddy current drag forces are generated resisting relative movement and urging dependent movement between the at least one conductive member or part thereof and the predetermined region and wherein the predetermined region has a gap through which the conductive member passes; 
 wherein the method comprises: 
 linking at least one first member with the Halbach array and linking at least one further member with the conductive member; and 
 imposing a motive force on the first member or the further member and utilizing a resulting eddy current drag force generated from the braking mechanism to resist relative movement between the first member and the further member.